November 28, 2025 – Longmeadow, Massachusetts – Staff from Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni’s Community Safety & Outreach (CSO) Unit visited Longmeadow’s Blueberry Hill and Wolf Swamp Elementary schools over the course of two days, Nov. 6 and 7, to deliver the office’s NetSmartz and Social Media & Gaming Safety presentations, emphasizing the importance of safe online use.

NetSmartz is an interactive presentation, targeted for grades 2 and 3, that consists of internet and real-world safety concepts. At Wolf Swamp, the CSO was joined by four members of the Hampden District Attorney’s Youth Advisory Board (YAB) – high school students from across Hampden County dedicated to leadership and community engagement – to present NetSmartz, while engaging and encouraging students to participate through helpful hints and discussion questions.

The YAB also assisted Deputy Director of Community and Safety Outreach Gina Anselmo in facilitating and involving grades 4 and 5 students throughout the Social Media & Gaming Safety presentation.

The core messages that were repeated throughout the presentations were to only accept friend requests from people you know, not to share your information with individuals you meet online, to tell a trusted adult if anything makes you feel sad, scared or uncomfortable, and to think before you post. 

Marleigh Fournier and Vicki Powers, both juniors at Longmeadow High School and former Wolf Swamp students, expressed excitement in returning to their former elementary school and sharing some insight on the topics.

Students had the opportunity to ask questions to the YAB members, most of which were around middle school advice on classes, homework, and sports.

Following the presentations, Fournier said the topics discussed were “very important,” and the students “seemed very interested … you can tell they listened.”

Maliha and Samia Awan, seniors at East Longmeadow High School and YAB members, shared their thoughts as well.

Maliha Awan said, “I think internet safety is really important, especially because it’s a real-world issue. So, being able to present that to them and give them information on how to handle any situation, I think, is important.”

Samia Awan agreed, adding, “Kids are getting phones at a younger and younger age and getting access to technology at younger and younger ages, so, I feel like it’s important to start to give them information when they’re younger so that they know how to handle those situations when they arise.”

The NetSmartz and Social Media & Gaming Safety presentations are two of many free programs the Hampden District Attorney’s Office offers to promote education, prevention, and youth empowerment across the county. The office regularly collaborates with schools and community partners to support the health and safety of young people.

For more information about NetSmartz or the Social Media & Gaming Safety presentations, or to request a presentation at your school, contact Hampden District Attorney’s Office Deputy Director of Community and Safety Outreach Gina Anselmo at gina.anselmo@mass.gov.